Introduction
Drinking a coffee on a Saturday morning in Plaça, the tranquility of a sunset in sa Foradada or at the viewpoint of Santa Catalina, a walk along the Port or lounging on the beach itself, taking a dip in the Torrent de Pareis or in the Cala de Deià, have a vermouth in Plaça de Fornalutx or dine without reserving a table. All these are activities that a Solleric, a Deianenc, or a Fornaluccenc would enjoy doing on a daily basis. Now, with the large flow of tourists passing through these famous spots on social media, thanks to influencers and tour guides, locals find it difficult and unpleasant to enjoy their land.
The saturation of tourist spots
According to Ivan Murray, doctor in geography and professor of the degrees of Tourism, Geography and Economics at the UIB, the points of maximum saturation are the communication routes, that is to say, the transport system and its structures, but they are not ·permanent lapse. It is essential to take into account the variables of space and time. Murray gives examples such as the Port de Sóller road, the Deià road and public transport. However, he emphasizes that they are not saturated all year, or at all times, but fluctuate. Other key points of saturation are Plaça de la Constitució and Carrer de Sa Lluna. There are also moments of maximum saturation in the Port, such as at the tram stop, En Repic beach or Es Través beach.
The impact on the lives of residents
Maria Bel Vigo, member of SOS Sóller, warns that the daily life of the residents is being altered. Vigo states that the lack of public transport system forces residents to take a car, which frequently encounter congestion and lack of parking. In addition, overcrowding also leads to social unrest due to the lack of access to housing.
The collision of two ways of inhabiting a space
According to Murray, there is a collision of two ways of inhabiting a space, residential and holiday. This clash leads to collective angst that is often directed at tourists, but Murray emphasizes that it is not the tourists’ responsibility to avoid violent situations, but to seek political solutions and collective action to address this discomfort.
Demand for political actions
Maria Bel Vigo, from SOS Sóller, calls for action from the town councils and recognizes that this is not a problem that can be solved locally. Proposals such as the creation of more parking spaces and the regulation of the entry of rental cars into the urban center of the Valley are some of the measures that have been proposed to preserve the culture, the environment and the well-being of the residents of Solleric.
conclusion
The problem of mass tourism in Sóller is a complex issue that affects the lives of residents and the preservation of their land. It is necessary to seek political solutions and collective actions to address this issue and ensure the well-being of the local community.